Switchgear cabinet or switchgear cabinet assembly comprising a monitoring device that is arranged therein

ABSTRACT

A switchgear cabinet or a switchgear cabinet assembly having at least one monitoring device arranged therein for monitoring switchgear cabinet functions, including temperature regulation. This invention provides extended control options for the safety of the switchgear cabinet, while maintaining its ease of use. To achieve this, the monitoring device is connected by a link to a monitoring module of a computational unit, which is responsible for external functions and is housed in the switchgear cabinet or assembly, and is configured for evaluating signals received from the monitoring module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a switchgear cabinet or a switchgear cabinetarrangement having at least one monitoring device for switchgear cabinetfunctions, including temperature regulation, arranged therein.

2. Discussion of Related Art

A switchgear cabinet with a monitoring device which assumes controlfunctions is disclosed by PCT International Publication WO 97/34345. Inthis known switchgear cabinet, various sensors, for example temperaturesensors, vibration sensors, smoke detectors, humidity sensors, voltagesensors, door limit stop switches, and the like, as well as actuatorsand data transmission connections with external operating devices, areconnected via input and output interfaces to a central control devicewith a processor or microcontroller provided therein. Variouscomponents, such as a cooling device, exhaust fan or heater withappropriate control and regulating components can be provided fortemperature regulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of this invention is to provide a switchgear cabinet or aswitchgear cabinet arrangement of the type mentioned above, but whichoffers a user increased monitoring or control options, along with simpleoperation, wherein the cost is kept as low as possible.

This object is attained with this invention having characteristicsdescribed in the claims and in this specification. The monitoring deviceis connected via a connection to a monitoring module of a computer unithoused in the switchgear cabinet or the switchgear cabinet arrangement,which is responsible for external functions and is designed for theevaluation of signals received from the monitoring module. With thesemeasures, when the switchgear cabinet is used for the installation ofcomputer units, for example servers or the like, the user has anadditional option of monitoring with the monitoring device assigned tothe switchgear cabinet functions. Then the switchgear cabinet can beadapted to various conditions of employment, and the computer unitscontained therein can be adapted to the conditions of their physicalsurroundings and, if necessary, to affect these by suitable controlmeans.

In one advantageous embodiment, the monitoring module is designed atleast for monitoring the proper functioning of a microcontroller, anelectrical power supply and/or a cooling unit of the computer unit, andfor issuing connected signals. The monitoring device is designed forprocessing the signals received and for passing them on to a networkinterface for interrogating the received signals via a network. Forexample, it is possible to monitor the unauthorized opening of thecomputer housing using the monitoring module of the computer unit, andappropriate data can be passed on to the monitoring device forevaluation. The monitoring device offers a control device, which is orcan be integrated into the switchgear cabinet or the switchgear cabinetarrangement, by which all monitoring tasks regarding the switchgearcabinet are handled centrally and uniformly. For example, additionaldisplays and associated control devices for monitoring the computerunits are not necessary.

If the monitoring device is connected by the network with a remotecontrol station, by which the switchgear cabinet functions and thefunctions of the computer unit monitored by the monitoring module can becontrolled and suitable responses can be performed by actuators, whichcan be accessed via the monitoring device, it is possible, for examplein case of a remote placement in other rooms or buildings, or on anexterior wall, to perform monitoring. If necessary, actions can be takenfor the dependable operation of the computer units from the remotecentral control station, in an easy to watch manner, wherein differentdata paths, for example selectable connections or suitable networks,such as local networks, ether net or internet, can be employed.

The monitoring device contributes to the increase of the operationaldependability of the computer units because when detecting a malfunctionof the electrical power supply for the computer unit, or of its coolingunit, by the monitoring device, an auxiliary electrical power supplyprovided in the switchgear cabinet and assigned or assignable to thecomputer unit is switched on, or an auxiliary cooling unit is switchedon, or the computer unit is entirely or partially switched off.

For the display and configuration of the monitoring device it isconnected by a connection with a server switching device housed in theswitchgear cabinet arrangement. By way of the switching device with thedisplay control device it is possible to add to the uniformity,user-friendly operability and the simplest design possible.

With a simple structure, the monitoring options and the control optionsconnected therewith are further expanded with a simple system designbecause the monitoring module is brought into a data exchange connectionwith at least one further monitoring module of a further computing unitvia a further connection, and also passes on data received from thelatter to the monitoring device. Thus, it is possible with a simplearrangement to monitor the physical operating conditions of severalcomputer units with one monitoring device.

The simple design is further enhanced because the connection between themonitoring module and the monitoring device and/or the furtherconnection between the monitoring module and the further monitoringmodule each is designed as a bus connector. A linkage of the differentcomponents for monitoring and possibly controlling the air conditioning,the microprocessor system and/or the electrical power supply of thecomputer unit (EN) can be performed by common bus systems, such as I²C,CAN, LON, IPMI, RS232 buses or the internet.

The data from the computer unit (EN) important for monitoring can alsobe picked up by the monitoring device when the operating systems of theserver do not react or are even shut down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This invention is explained in greater detail in view of an exemplaryembodiment and by making reference to the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Server cabinets or similar electronic cabinets, for example, areconsidered to be switchgear cabinets.

In a block diagram, the drawing shows a switchgear cabinet monitoringdevice UST, provided in a switchgear cabinet or a switchgear cabinetarrangement, which is connected via a connection L1, preferably a busconnection, with a monitoring module M1 of a computer unit C1. Themonitoring module M1 is a monitoring module which is provided in such aunit, for example a CPU or compact PCI, network element, server, whichoffers several software interfaces with the hardware of the computerunit C1, and which also has a connector used for connecting themonitoring device UST via the connection L1. Various physical systemparameters, such as temperature, supply voltages V, cooling unit K1, inparticular in the form of exhaust fans, network elements and detectorsignals regarding the unauthorized opening of the computer housing, aswell as data stored in this connection, can be monitored by themonitoring module M1. Preferably, the monitoring module M1 is operatedwith its own electrical power supply and is therefore independent of thesupply of the computer unit C1 system. In addition, it can have a numberof A/D interfaces, with the aid of which it monitors the entireelectrical power supply of the computer unit C1. Data can be exchangedwith a further monitoring M2 of a further computer unit C2 via a furtherconnection L2, in particular a bus connection. Correspondingly, stillfurther monitoring modules can be connected via the further monitoringmodule M2.

The monitoring device UST, which preferably performs all monitoring andcontrol functions relating to the switchgear cabinet, as explained indetail in PCT International Publication WO 97/34345, by whichappropriate parameters for various employment conditions can be preset,has additional functions exceeding the mere monitoring of the switchgearcabinet because of the connection of the monitoring module M1 andpossibly further than that, of the further monitoring module M2. It ispossible to also include the monitoring of the physical status of thecomputer units C1, C2 installed in the switchgear cabinet, or theswitchgear cabinet arrangement, and to exert an influence on them, whenrequired. By integrating the monitoring of the computer units C1, C2into the monitoring device UST, the user is offered a uniform totalmonitoring by a simple, clear operation.

The data processed by the monitoring device UST can be uniformlytransmitted via a network connection N to a remote control station anddisplayed there, so that an operator has simple control possibilitiesregarding the switchgear cabinet functions, as well as the physicalstate of the computer units C1, C2 and can, if necessary, exert anappropriate influence on the control functions of the monitoring deviceUST. For example, if a cooling unit K1, or an exhaust fan of thecomputer unit C1 fails, a further cooling unit K2 in the form of anexhaust fan or the like, which is provided anyway in the switchgearcabinet, or can be provided there, can be switched on as a replacementfor cooling the computer unit C1. In case of failure of the power supplyV, the affected computer unit C1 can be connected to an auxiliary powersupply provided in the switchgear cabinet. The switch-off of thecomputing unit C1 by the monitoring device UST is also possible.

The monitoring device UST is connected via a connector L3 with a serverswitching device SU, and via the server switching device SU with adisplay control device D, in particular a so-called on-screen display.Because of the display control device D, which is customarily assignedto the server switching device SU, it is no longer necessary to equipthe monitoring device UST itself with an elaborate display unit and anappropriate control device. The monitoring device UST can be configuredsimply and clearly and with appropriate hardware and software of theserver switching device SU, or of the display control device, so that itis capable to set, for example, predetermined values for actuating, aswell as sensor signals and parameters for triggering actuators, and todisplay data for their control.

With the described measures in connection with the monitoring deviceUST, it is possible to improve the ability of switchgear cabinets tofunction.

1. In a switchgear cabinet or a switchgear cabinet arrangement having atleast one monitoring device for switchgear cabinet functions, withtemperature regulation arranged therein, the improvement comprising: themonitoring device (UST) connected via a connection (L1) to a monitoringmodule (M1) of a computer unit (C1) of an end-user and housed in theswitchgear cabinet or the switchgear cabinet arrangement, wherein themonitoring device (UST) is responsible for functions of the switchgearcabinet or the switchgear cabinet arrangement and evaluates signalsreceived from the monitoring module (M1) of the computer unit (C1). 2.In the switchgear cabinet or the switchgear cabinet arrangement inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the monitoring module (M1) at leastmonitors proper functioning of at least one of a processor (μC) of thecomputer unit (C1), an electrical power supply (V) of the computer unit(C1) and a cooling unit (K1) of the computer unit (C1), and issuesconnected signals, and the monitoring device (UST) processes the signalsreceived and passes the signals on to a network interface forinterrogating the received signals via a network.
 3. In the switchgearcabinet or the switchgear cabinet arrangement in accordance with claim2, wherein the monitoring device (UST) is connected by a network (N)with a remote control station, by which switchgear cabinet functions andfunctions of the computer unit (C1) monitored by the monitoring module(M1) are controlled and suitable responses are performed by actuatorswhich can be accessed via the monitoring device.
 4. In the switchgearcabinet or the switchgear cabinet arrangement in accordance with claim3, wherein when detecting a malfunction for one of the electrical powersupply (V) for the computer unit (C1) and a cooling unit (K1), by themonitoring device, one of an auxiliary electrical power supply in theswitchgear cabinet which is assigned to the computer unit (C1) isswitched on, an auxiliary cooling unit (K2) is switched on, and thecomputer unit (C1) is at least partially switched off.
 5. In theswitchgear cabinet or the switchgear cabinet arrangement in accordancewith claim 4, wherein, for display and configuration of the monitoringdevice (UST), the monitoring device (UST) is connected by a connection(L3) with a server switching device (SU) housed in the switchgearcabinet arrangement, and via the switching device with a display controldevice (D).
 6. In the switchgear cabinet or the switchgear cabinetarrangement in accordance with claim 5, wherein the monitoring module(M1) is brought into a data exchange connection with at least onefurther monitoring module (M2) of a further computer unit (C2) via afurther connection (L2) and passes on received data to the monitoringdevice (UST).
 7. In the switchgear cabinet or the switchgear cabinetarrangement in accordance with claim 6, wherein at least one of theconnection (L1) between the monitoring module (M1) and the monitoringdevice (UST) and the further connection (L2) between the monitoringmodule (M1) and the further monitoring module (M2) is each designed as abus connector.
 8. In the switchgear cabinet or the switchgear cabinetarrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the monitoring device(UST) is connected by a network (N) with a remote control station, bywhich switchgear cabinet functions and functions of the computer unit(C1) monitored by the monitoring module (M1) are controlled and suitableresponses are performed by actuators which can be accessed via themonitoring device.
 9. In the switchgear cabinet or the switchgearcabinet arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein when detecting amalfunction for one of the electrical power supply (V) for the computerunit (C1) and a cooling unit (K1), by the monitoring device, one of anauxiliary electrical power supply in the switchgear cabinet which isassigned to the computer unit (C1) is switched on, an auxiliary coolingunit (K2) is switched on, and the computer unit (C1) is at leastpartially switched off.
 10. In the switchgear cabinet or the switchgearcabinet arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein, for display andconfiguration of the monitoring device (UST), the monitoring device(UST) is connected by a connection (L3) with a server switching device(SU) housed in the switchgear cabinet arrangement, and via the switchingdevice with a display control device (D).
 11. In the switchgear cabinetor the switchgear cabinet arrangement in accordance with claim 1,wherein the monitoring module (M1) is brought into a data exchangeconnection with at least one further monitoring module (M2) of a furthercomputer unit (C2) via a further connection (L2) and passes on receiveddata to the monitoring device (UST).
 12. In the switchgear cabinet orthe switchgear cabinet arrangement in accordance with claim 11, whereinat least one of the connection (L1) between the monitoring module (M1)and the monitoring device (UST) and the further connection (L2) betweenthe monitoring module (M1) and the further monitoring module (M2) iseach designed as a bus connector.